Using Heat Treatment
Minor ailments and aches and pains are often treated with superficial heat although this modality is much less commonly used by physiotherapists than it used to be.
The heating effect is shallow as the fat layer under the skin acts as an insulator against the heat, preventing transfer of energy to deeper tissues.
The heat causes an increase in blood flow to the skin which moves heat away from the area treated and reduces the effect further.
Conductive heating is accomplished by the transfer of heat from one object to another without any movement involved, with direct contact between the source of heat and the tissues to be heated.
Hot packs, hot water baths, electric heat pads, paraffin or wax baths and hot compresses all fall into this category.
Convective heating is less commonly used and works by movement of the heat medium which is a fluid or the air.
Conversion heating involves the conversion of one type of energy to another such as light energy from a heat lamp being converted into heat at the skin surface.
This depends on the size of the region under treatment, how quickly the temperature rises, how long the heat is applied for and the level of temperature achieved in the tissues.
Hot packs, sometimes called hydrocollator packs, uses the conductive heating effect and can be effective but there is a risk of burns as the tissues can be overheated.
Hot packs do not mould very effectively to uneven body parts such as the foot or ankle, making predictable heating unlikely.
Reduction in the local blood supply can occur with pressure of the pack on the leg or vice versa, giving increased heating.
after, for example, persistent ankle swelling after fracture or repeated ankle sprains.
The cycle bringing on the greatest changes in blood supply involves ten minutes in the hot bath followed by one in the cold bath, continuing with four minutes hot and one minute cold.
Hydrotherapy pools involve an expanse of warm water at around 34 degrees centigrade or higher and are used predominantly for rheumatological conditions as the water gives support and the heat is soothing to painful joints.
Infra-red lamps are common domestic appliances and easily bought in shops, usually with a red light visible spectrum added to make the treatment clear as infra-red is invisible.
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